Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House | Eclectic Designer’s Dream Overlooking Gloucester Harbor

Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House is one of New England’s most imaginative and distinctive historic homes. Perched dramatically on a rocky ledge overlooking Gloucester Harbor, this National Historic Landmark was built starting in 1907 as the summer retreat and creative showcase of Henry Davis Sleeper, one of America’s first professional interior designers.

What began as a modest shingle-style cottage evolved over decades into a sprawling, 40-room fantasy of interconnected spaces. No two rooms are alike — each is themed around a color, historical figure, literary reference, shape, or object. Highlights include the Golden Step Room, the Octagon Room (filled with French toleware), the China Trade Room with hand-painted wallpaper, and the dramatic Book Tower. Sleeper filled every nook with his vast collection of American folk art, colored glass, silhouettes, china, and architectural salvage, creating a vibrant, layered atmosphere that feels like stepping into a living artwork.

After Sleeper’s death in 1934, the McCann family purchased the home and preserved it largely as he left it. Today, operated by Historic New England, guided tours reveal the life of this influential tastemaker, his circle of artistic friends, and the house’s role as both private sanctuary and professional inspiration. With its harbor views, secret staircases, and dazzling interiors, Beauport stands out as a truly unique celebration of American design, creativity, and early 20th-century eccentricity.